Subject: Ta nea toy BTA 08-Feb-95[*] Ta nea apo thn Presbeia ths Boylgarias sthn Washington, D.C. * O Prouypoyrgos ths Boylgarias Z. Videnov eixe synanthsh me ton Germano projeno opoy syzhthse dimerh uemata kai ton eyxaristhse gia thn yposthrijh poy pareixe h Germania gia thn entajh ths Boylgarias sthn EE. O Videnov eixe epishs synanthsh me ton Ispano projeno opoy syzhthuhkan dimerh uemata kai h mellontikh episkech toy Ispanoy Prouyp. sthn Boylgaria. * O Yp.Ej. ths Boylgarias G. Pirinski eixe synomilies stis Bryjelles me ton GG toy NATO, ton Ypato Armosth ths EE, ton GG ths DEE kai ton Ypato Armosth twn Ejwterikwn Politikwn Ypouesewn ths EE. Ta basika uemata aforoysan thn prospaueia entajhs ths Boylgarias se Eyrwpaikoys kai dieuneis organismoys. . O neos Yp. Biomhxanias yposxeuhke kybernhtikh bohueia se biomhxanies, eidika aytes poy exoyn sxesh me stratiwtika programmata. * H Boylgarikh kybernhsh den exei apofasisei ti uesh ua parei sto uema twn meiontitwn poy syzhthte apo thn koinoboyleytikh omada toy Symboylioy ths Eyrwphs. Oi alles xwres poy den exoyn akoma ypogracei to prosxedio ths symbashs einai h M. Bretania, Germania, Gallia, Toyrkia kai Ellada. . Synedrio sto Yp. Metaforwn gia thn diaswsh toy eunikoy aerometaforea ths Boylgarias [Balkan Airways]. Giwrgos Kapodistrias ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: bulgaria@access.digex.net (Embassy of Bulgaria) Subject: BTA inf/ Feb. 8,95 Date: 8 Feb 1995 17:57:25 -0500 EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA - WASHINGTON D.C. BTA - BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY BULLETIN OF NEWS FROM BULGARIA (issued daily by 11 p.m.) FEBRUARY 8, 1995 MEETINGS OF PM VIDENOV Prime Minister Zhan Videnov received today German Ambassador to Bulgaria Christel Steffler, the government press office said. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations. The Prime Minister stressed his Cabinet's high assessment of the level of political relations and expressed gratitude for Germany's support for Bulgaria's integration into the European structures. The meeting also discussed the implementation of signed agreements as well as the further promotion of contacts in the economic sphere. Today Prime Minister Zhan Videnov received Spanish Ambassador to Bulgaria Jorge Fuentes Monzonis-Villalonga, the government press office said. The two sides discussed the forthcoming visit to Bulgaria by Spanish Prime Minister Filipe Gonzales and the prospects before bilateral relations. The Bulgarian PM praised Spain's experience in building a democratic and law-abiding state and expressed Bulgaria's wish for integration into European and Atlantic structures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PIRINSKI IN BRUSSELS Brussels, February 7 - At NATO's headquarters today, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski met NATO Secretary General Willy Claes, said the Foreign Ministry's press office. Mr. Claes reportedly voiced NATO's stand on issues pertaining to Partnership for Peace, and briefed Pirinski on the internal debates on NATO's expansion and relations with third countries. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister stressed the cabinet's policy for integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures so as to provide security guarantees for all European countries. The sides also considered the latest developments in the conflict in Bosnia and Hercegovina and the initiatives seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister reiterated an invitation to Mr. Claes for a visit to Bulgaria at a time convenient for him. Georgi Pirinski also met European Union (EU) Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan. Foreign Minister Pirinski set forth the Bulgarian government's priorities in the sphere of the economic reforms and particularly in privatization. The two discussed problems pertaining to Bulgaria's joining the World Trade Organization within the framework of Bulgaria's association agreement with the EU effective as of February 1 this year. Trade concessions granted to Bulgaria within the European Free Trade Agreement as a step preceding an upcoming expanding of the EU, was also high on the agenda. Sir Leon Brittan reiterated the readiness of the European Commission to assist the progress of the economic reforms in Bulgaria, reads a press release of the Foreign Ministry. During his visit to Brussels, Foreign Minister Pirinski met Western European Union Secretary-General Jose Cutileiro. At the meeting, Pirinski dwelled on the priorities the Bulgarian cabinet has set itself, stressing on the national security guarantees. Emphasis was placed on this country's intentions to fully integrate into the European structures. The two also discussed the problem of civilian control on armed forces and the role of armed forces in a democratic society. Pirinski invited the WEU Secretary-General to pay a visit to Bulgaria. Pirinski also met EU external political relations commissioner Hans van den Broek, the Foreign Ministry said. The talks focused on the foreign policy priorities of the Bulgarian government. The sides also discussed the prospects for an eastward expansion of the EU and Bulgaria's place in this process. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister and EU Commissioner were unanimous that with the February 1 entry into effect of its association agreement with the EC, Bulgaria has embarked on a new stage in the process of its integration into Europe. On behalf of the European Commission, Mr. van den Broek voiced a readiness to support Bulgaria in the implementation of the economic reforms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEW INDUSTRY MINISTER PROMISES STATE SUPPORT The Industry Ministry will seek to encourage production through funding projects and government orders without extending credits to industrial enterprises, Socialist Industry Minister Kliment Vouchev said at his first news conference today. According to him, this is the only way to the recovery of local production. The Industry Minister explained that four funds will finance guaranteed investment return projects so that enterprises are not additionally burdened by high-interest credits from commercial banks. The investment will be provided by the Structural Policy Fund, the Small Enterprises Fund, the State Fund for Reconstruction and Development and the Bulgarian Industrial Association. The problem with the bad debts of enterprises is closely related to the recovery of the entire economy. It may have an adverse effect not only on the creditor banks but also on the entire banking system, according to Industry Minister Vouchev. That is why coordination with the banks will also be among the priorities in his work as Industry Minister. The volume of bad debts was established already last year, Industry Minister Vouchev said. The affected enterprises number 496 and 80% of the sum provided for by the Act to Settle Non-Performing Loans, is to be borne by the Industry Ministry. It will move an amendment of some of the texts of this act in order to help enterprises of the military industrial complex, and the metallurgical and the chemical industries cope with this problem. The Ministry is expecting some Bulgarian receivables from other states to partially make up for the incurred expenditures. The Industry Ministry's relations with joint stock companies with state interest will be based on state support and state protection, Industry Minister Vouchev said. This will find expression in assigning government tasks to the enterprises and government orders to the foreign trade companies. In the cases of projects with foreign financial participation, the Industry Ministry will insist on legal regulations guaranteeing Bulgarian participation at least at the execution level. The state will extent special support to the enterprises of the military industrial complex, Vouchev said. He added that while in 1990 the civilian output of the military industrial complex was 30%, now conversion has reached 50% and will not increase further in the future. In 1994 enterprises of the military industrial complex signed contracts for USD 180 million which is an optimistic prospect in view of Bulgarian special output regaining its former market positions, the Industry Minister believes. The initiatives of the Ministry will also be aimed at overcoming the chaos in customs valuation so as to protect national production. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TUESDAY NEWS BRIEFS The Bulgarian government has not determined its stance on the framework convention on minorities, Filip Bokov, Head of the Bulgarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), told journalists today. Bulgarian experts took part in the drafting of certain texts of the convention. The opening date for signing was February 1 and the convention was signed by 21 Council of Europe member states. Bulgaria, Britain, Germany, France, Turkey and Greece have not signed it. The Bulgarian delegation met with PACE President Miguel Martinez. The sides discussed the possibility for Prime Minister Zhan Videnov to be invited to address the PACE session opening in April. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A collegium at the Transport Ministry today discussed the financial survival of Balkan Airways, Bulgaria's state-run air carrier. A working group headed by Deputy Transport Minister Pencho Penchev was placed under the obligation to draft a request for a long-term investment loan. The draft, to be completed by Friday, will be submitted to the cabinet. The Transport Ministry proposes that the State Fund for Reconstruction and Development extend a 67 million US dollar loan for the rehabilitation of Balkan Airways. Enclosed with the loan request would be an elaborate report on the current condition of and prospects for this state-owned carrier. Balkan Airways has not received state subsidies since 1989. This brought about a persistent rise of expenses that could not be covered by the proceeds. ==============================================================================